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Advance Your Career in Writing and Digital Media
Nova Southeastern University's graduate programs in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media (CRDM) are designed for those looking to shape the future of digital media production and writing instruction through rigorous research, advanced practice, and a focus on experiential learning in writing, communication, and media production. Our program emphasizes preparing graduates to excel in industry and academic positions and apply their knowledge to improve the effectiveness of writing and communication practices. Nova Southeastern University offers an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media.
Students engage in interdisciplinary research, practical teaching experiences, and real-world collaborations with local organizations —building portfolios that include published and presented work.
Did You Know?
Upon successful completion of the SoFlo Writing Project’s Summer Institute, applicants to NSU’s Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media program may apply to receive credit for up to two elective courses (6 credits) toward the M.A. or Ph.D. degree.
Quick Facts
Curriculum
The Ph.D. in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media requires 57–69 total credits and can be completed in as few as 36 months. The M.A. program requires 30 total credits.
Start Dates
Enrollment launches Winter 2026 (January start), with subsequent cohorts offered each August, January, and May for the Ph.D. program, and each May and August for the M.A. program.
Delivery Options
Courses are offered on campus in Davie/Fort Lauderdale and online, providing flexibility for both full-time students and working professionals.
Tuition
Tuition varies by program and delivery format. View current rates Tuition and Fees page.
Application Deadline
- Fall (all programs): Priority – February 15 | Final – July 1
- Winter (Ph.D. only): October 15
- Summer (all programs): Priority – February 15 | Final – April 15
Funding Opportunities
Scholarships, graduate assistantships, and teaching assistantships are available for qualified students.
Career Pathways
Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media Curriculum
M.A. Curriculum (30 credits)
Core Curriculum (12 credits)
Credits
WRIT 5120
Theories of Composition (WRIT 5120 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5340
Studies in Multimodality and Digital Media (WRIT 5340 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5650
Rhetorical Criticism (WRIT 5650 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5100
Research Methods (WRIT 5100 / Credits: 3 )
3
Elective Courses (12 credits)
Any existing WRIT course at the 5000-level or higher. Up to 3 credits of WRIT 5950 may be considered as elective credits with department approval. ( )
Completion Project (6 credits) Choose one of the following options:
Credits
Portfolio:
WRIT 5950 - Media Internship (1-3 credits) (Portfolio: / Credits: 6 )
6
Thesis:
WRIT 6000 - Master’s Thesis (1-3 credits) (Thesis: / Credits: 6 )
6
Exam:
Two program elective courses (Exam: / Credits: 6 )
6
For specific course requirements, refer to the “Ph.D. in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media Program" in NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Student catalog.
The academic program and curriculum requirements listed on this page are from the NSU Halmos College of Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Catalog. Students are bound by policies and curricula published in the catalog in effect the semester they enter the university unless an agreement is made with appropriate NSU administration officials allowing them to abide by policies published in a later catalog.
Ph.D. Curriculum (57 credits)
Core Curriculum (9 credits)
Credits
WRIT 5120
Theories of Composition (WRIT 5120 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5340
Studies in Multimodality and Digital Media (WRIT 5340 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT5650
Rhetorical Criticism (WRIT5650 / Credits: 3 )
3
Elective Courses (9 credits)
Any existing WRIT course at the 5000-level or higher. Ph.D. students may seek department approval to take up to two courses from other NSU graduate programs at the 5000-level or higher as electives if they are relevant to their doctoral research. ( )
Professional Development (21 credits)
Credits
WRIT 6100
Contemporary Issues (3 credits) (WRIT 6100 / Credits: 9 )
9
WRIT 6900
Doctoral Research (1-4 credits) - Total 12 Credits (WRIT 6900 )
Dissertation (18 credits)
WRIT 7000
Doctoral Dissertation (1-6 credits) - Total 18 Credits (WRIT 7000 )
For specific course requirements, refer to the “Ph.D. in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media Program" in NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Student catalog.
The academic program and curriculum requirements listed on this page are from the NSU Halmos College of Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Catalog. Students are bound by policies and curricula published in the catalog in effect the semester they enter the university unless an agreement is made with appropriate NSU administration officials allowing them to abide by policies published in a later catalog.
M.A. + Ph.D. Curriculum (69 credits)
Core Curriculum (12 credits)
Credits
WRIT 5120
Theories of Composition (WRIT 5120 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5340
Studies in Multimodality and Digital Media (WRIT 5340 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5650
Rhetorical Criticism (WRIT 5650 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5100
Research Methods (WRIT 5100 / Credits: 3 )
3
Elective Courses (18 credits)
Credits
Any existing WRIT course at the 5000-level or higher. Ph.D. students may seek department approval to take up to two courses from other NSU graduate programs at the 5000-level or higher as electives if they are relevant to their doctoral research. ( / Credits: 3 )
3
Professional Development (21 credits)
Credits
WRIT 6100
Contemporary Issues (3 credits) (WRIT 6100 / Credits: 9 )
9
WRIT 6900
Doctoral Research (1-4 credits) - Total 12 Credits (WRIT 6900 )
Dissertation (18 credits)
WRIT 7000
Doctoral Dissertation (1-6 credits) - Total 18 Credits (WRIT 7000 )
For specific course requirements, refer to the “Ph.D. in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media Program" in NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Student catalog.
The academic program and curriculum requirements listed on this page are from the NSU Halmos College of Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Catalog. Students are bound by policies and curricula published in the catalog in effect the semester they enter the university unless an agreement is made with appropriate NSU administration officials allowing them to abide by policies published in a later catalog.
Elective Course list
Elective Course list
Credits
WRIT 5000
Professional and Public Writing (WRIT 5000 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5100
Teaching Writing (WRIT 5100 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5140
Writing Center Praxis (WRIT 5140 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5160
Teaching Writing Online (WRIT 5160 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5250
Social Media Writing & Strategy (WRIT 5250 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5320
Advanced Writing with Technologies (WRIT 5320 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5400
Technical Writing (WRIT 5400 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5350
Game Studies (WRIT 5350 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5550
Feature Writing (WRIT 5550 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5620
Rhetorical Traditions in Writing Studies (WRIT 5620 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5750
Transmedia Theory & Production (WRIT 5750 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5800
Editing, Layout, & Design (WRIT 5800 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5900
Special Topics (WRIT 5900 / Credits: 3 )
3
WRIT 5950
Media Internship - 1-3 Credits (WRIT 5950 )
For specific course requirements, refer to the “Ph.D. in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media Program" in NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Student catalog.
The academic program and curriculum requirements listed on this page are from the NSU Halmos College of Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Catalog. Students are bound by policies and curricula published in the catalog in effect the semester they enter the university unless an agreement is made with appropriate NSU administration officials allowing them to abide by policies published in a later catalog.
Admission Requirements
Documents to Submit
Have the following materials ready to upload with your online application:
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Two content samples (see guidance below)
Content Samples: Applicants should submit two samples selected from the categories below:
- Academic paper (analytical essay, research paper)
- Journalistic content (news or feature article, column, profile)
- Public relations content (social media campaign portfolio, press release portfolio)
- Digital media content (video reel, podcast, news package, game narrative)
- Teaching materials (syllabus, assignment sheet, in-class activity)
- Technical writing (manual, proposal, white paper)
- Other (with prior program approval)
Written samples should not exceed five pages each, and media samples should not exceed three minutes each. Ph.D. and M.A. + Ph.D. applicants are encouraged to submit at least one academic writing sample. Additional guidance for media submissions can be provided upon request.
An interview may be requested following the initial review of application materials.
Contact Info
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